Press Release – WRWF Annual Celebration of Grants Recipients Luncheon

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: July 16, 2019 Contacts: Sandy McCullough, Communications Chair, WRWF Board, 206.755.4706; or Lynne MacKenzie, WRWF Marketing Committee, 707.529.7342

Wood River Women’s Foundation Announces $267,918 in 2019 Grants at 14^th Annual Meeting

11 Blaine County Non-Profit Organizations to receive grants from the WRWF on August 7^th.

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO — The Wood River Women’s Foundation (WRWF) will honor the 2019 Grant Recipients at its 14^th Annual Celebration of Grant Recipients and Annual Luncheon on August 7th.  The WRWF is proud to announce that awards this year will total more than $267,918 and will be granted to 11 local nonprofits.  Since 2006, the WRWF has funded more than 137 grants totaling more than $2,594,000. “The announcement of our new grant recipients is always the highlight of our mission each year,” said WRWF President Peggy Grove. “This year’s grants support local youth and families through academic, food-security, mental health and outdoor education programs.” During this year’s cycle, WRWF members screened numerous applications, visited the sites of applicants and listened to presentations describing the many projects that will benefit the Wood River Valley Community. In April, all 340 members had an opportunity to vote on the final slate of applicants. Here are our WRWF 2019 grant recipients: Blaine County Education Foundation, Blaine County Hunger Coalition, Blaine County Recreation District, Environmental Resource Center, Inc., Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, Idaho Base Camp – South Valley After-School Program, Men’s Second Chance Living, NAMI Wood River Valley, St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation, and The Advocates. Details on these grants are attached. The August 7^th event will be from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Trail Creek Pavilion, Sun Valley Resort. Speakers begin at 12:00pm. Given that the work of these non-profits benefits all in the Wood River Valley, the WRWF invites the community to attend this special event. Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase at www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org. For more information contact the WRWF office at (208) 309-2530. The Wood River Women’s Foundation’s mission is to inspire and educate women to become leaders in philanthropy. We encourage and create significant positive change in our community through pooled grant-making.  Founded in 2005, the foundation has grown from 27 founders to over 350 members today, with each member contributing $1,000 annually. New members are welcome and encouraged to attend the luncheon for more information. Wood River Women’s Foundation P.O. Box 3686, Ketchum, ID 83340 Office (208)309-2530 Email: wrwcf1@gmail.com Website: www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org Instagram: wrwomensfoundation Twitter: @wrwcf Facebook: WRWCF ####  2019 Recipients of the Wood River Women’s Foundation Grants Blaine County Education Foundation (BCEF) – Programs and Growth – $35,000 BCEF seeks to increase awareness of local college scholarship opportunities by developing a scholarship database available to all Blaine County students and hosting a scholarship fair. The grant will also provide for teacher grants, high-needs support to at-risk students, and funding for a capacity building project to broaden community financial support. Blaine County Hunger Coalition – Bloom Youth Project – $35,000 Funding will provide paid internships for 10 teens. Through their work at the Bloom Community Farm, the interns will learn about growing, cooking and sharing good food, gaining life skills and work experience that can help them build resiliency. Blaine County Recreation District – Aquatic Center Revitalization – $35,000 This grant is to support the restoration of the public Aquatic Center in Hailey. The funding will help update and expand the facility, which currently has over 20,000 visitors per year. The facility offers swimming instruction, swim team competition, aqua aerobics, lap swimming and leisure swimming. Environmental Resource Center, Inc. – Youth Environmental Education Program Materials – $2,575 This grant will provide updated scientific materials for the ERC’s youth programs, including in-school and after-school programs, and overnight summer camps for pre-k through 12th grade students throughout the Wood River Valley. Through hands-on outdoor learning, the ERC empowers students to become the next generation of environmental stewards. Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley – Improving Our Workspace – $35,000 This grant will allow the Hospice to complete several repairs and improvements to their building – built in the early 1900’s – to improve the safety and efficacy of the space. The building is used to meet with families and support groups, train volunteers, provide office space, and store equipment. Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children – READY? for Kindergarten – $11,895 The Ready! For Kindergarten program conducts workshops for parents of 3- and 4-year-olds to enable them to engage their children in purposeful play that prepares them to enter kindergarten with grade school readiness skills. The program will reach 30 families, supporting parents in their role as their child’s first and most influential teacher. Idaho Base Camp – South Valley After-School Program – $20,000 This grant will help fund a comprehensive after-school program for Bellevue and Alturas 3rd-5th grade students, by offering scholarships to students and compensation for a Lead Educator. The program, which includes transportation from school, will provide a healthy, positive environment and fill the current critical gap in south valley after-school programming. Men’s Second Chance Living – House Start-up Fund & Renovations – $20,000 In November 2018, “MSCL” began operating a safe house for men recovering from alcohol and/or drug addictions. This grant provides for renovations to the house, as well as funding for the first year’s operating budget. NAMI Wood River Valley – Part-time Staff – $23,448 NAMI will hire two part-time staff members to assist in the oversight of the adult Family Education/Support Group and Bluebird Youth Support Group. NAMI’s goal is to double the number of students and families they assist. St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation – Keith Siverston, MD, Compassionate Care Program – $15,000 This program was created to address the financial hardships created by health crises and hospitalizations facing patients and their families, especially those who are uninsured or under-insured. The program resources include assistance with food, lodging, transportation, medications, medical supplies, and other items necessary for improving a patient’s health status. The Advocates – Safe Housing First – $35,000 The Advocates’ Safe Housing First project provides transitional safe housing for survivors of domestic violence, their children and their pets, incorporating a comprehensive program to help them achieve independence. This grant helps provide furnishings and fixtures for their transitional housing service center and 12 new apartments.